A student is using hair from a 120-year-old taxidermy bear exhibit at the Museum of Chelmsford to develop new methods for solving wildlife crime. The bear, named Boris, was acquired by the museum in 1932 as part of a collection left behind by a local game hunter. This unique specimen is now helping forensic science graduate Hayden Leigh, from the University of Staffordshire, explore ways to improve the identification of animal hairs in criminal investigations. Leigh is working on a PhD project that involves analyzing the characteristics of Boris’s fur, including its cuticles, layers, and DNA. His goal is to create a more cost-effective and reliable alternative to traditional DNA analysis, which can be expensive and time-consuming. This research is particularly important in the fight against illegal poaching and trafficking of wildlife, where quick and accurate identification of animal remains is crucial for law enforcement. While many studies have focused on domestic animal hairs, there is limited research on wild animals such as brown bears, which are often involved in wildlife crime across countries like Romania, Bulgaria, and Russia. Leigh reached out to around 30 zoos and museums before the Museum of Chelmsford agreed to support his work. He emphasized the value of using preserved specimens for research, as it allows scientists to study animal characteristics without harming live animals or disturbing their natural habitats. Councillor Jennie Lardge, a member of Chelmsford City Council, acknowledged the ongoing debate about the ethics of taxidermy in museum collections. However, she praised the project for showing how historic taxidermy can still have scientific value. She expressed her delight that the Museum of Chelmsford could support this important research, which she believes contributes to both conservation and forensic science.